University of Southern California Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science The USC Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering USC
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Theodore Tsotsis


Robert E. Vivian Professor


General Research Interests
  • Reaction Engineering, Membrane Separation Processes

    • Specific Research Projects
  • Transport and Reaction in Membranes and Catalysts
  • High Temperature Reactions
  • Environmental Reaction Engineering  
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    Transport and Reaction in Membranes and Catalysts 
    We are interested in the study of transport and reaction phenomena in membranes, adsorbents, and catalysts. Membranes are of interest because of their application in reactive separation applications (e.g., membrane reactors), but also because they serve as model systems for the study of such phenomena in other porous systems like adsorbents and catalysts. The studies are both of experimental and theoretical character. Our experiments involve carbon molecular sieve, SiC, and layered-double-hydroxide type membranes. To model the transport phenomena, we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) techniques. The use of reactive separations, involving high temperature membranes, to power generation applications is also currently under investigation.
     
    High Temperature Reactions 
    We are interested in power generation applications involving renewable fuels like landfill gas and biodiesel. We study the combustion characteristics of these fuels, and the environmental implications of their use in power generation. The experiments are carried out in an experimental set-up, which allows us to measure the fluid mechanics, temperature, and composition of the reactive flows. Experiments are coupled to complete numerical simulations of 2-D and 3-D reactive flows involving full chemistry.
     
    Environmental Reaction Engineering 
    We are interested in the remediation of landfill sites. Our work involves the detailed modeling of landfill gas and leachate generation and transport in these sites. We also study novel means for getting rid of the various heteroatom-containing VOC found in landfill gas and biogas.
     
    In addition, we are interested in the development and use of novel adsorbent and membranes for the elimination of toxic pollutants from drinking water and industrial wastewaters. Our current project in this area involves the elimination of heavy toxic metals like As, Se, and Hg from power-plant effluents.


    Funding
    Our research studies are supported by grants from DOE, DTRA, NASA, NSF, the California Energy Commission, METRANS, and a number of Industrial Companies.
    Contact Information

    Web Site: 
    E-mail:                       
    tsotsis@usc.edu
    Mailing Address:      
    Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
    University of Southern California
    925 Bloom Walk, HED 210
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-1211                   
    Office Location:           
    HED 210
    Office Phone:          
    (213)740-2069
    Fax:                         
    (213) 740-8053


    Education

    Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, 1978
    M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, 1976
    B.S., Chemical Engineering, National Technical University, Athens, Greece, 1974 


    Research Images

       
       


    Selected Publications

    Xu, L., Tsotsis T.T., and Sahimi, M., Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Transport and Separation of Gases in Carbon Nanopores. II. Binary and Ternary Mixtures and Comparison with Experimental Results, J. Chem. Phys., 112, 910, 2000.

    Prosser, R.W., Mallada, R., Schwartz, B.C.E., Sahimi, M., Devinny, J.S., and Tsotsis, T.T., “New Processes for Upgrading the Quality of Landfill Gas,” Proceedings SWANA Conference, 179-187, San Diego, CA, March 27-30, 2000.

    Ghassemzadeh, J., Xu, L., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., "Statistical Mechanics and Molecular Simulation of Adsorption in Microporous Materials: Pillared Clays and Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes, J. Phys. Chem. B, 104, 3892, 2000.

    Suwanmethanond, V., Goo, E., Johnston, G., Liu, P.K.T, Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Porous SiC Sintered Substrates for High Temperature Membranes for Gas Separations," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 39, 3264, 2000.

    Sedigh, M.G., Jahangiri, M., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Structural Characterization of Supported Polyetheririmide-Based Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes," AIChE J, 114, 583, 2000.

    Xu, L., Tsotsis T.T., and Sahimi, M., “Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Transport and Separation of Gas Mixtures in Porous Materials,” Phys. Rev. E, 62, 6942, 2000.

    Schwarz, B.C.E, Nukunya, T., Devinny, J.S., and Tsotsis, T.T., Pore Network Model of Biofilter Clogging, Proceedings of the 2000 USC-TRG Conference on Biofiltration, The Reynolds Group, Tustin, California, p. 167-175, October 19-20, 2000.

    Qin, W., Ren, J.Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N., Wu, S., Zhang, H., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Oxygen Composition Modulation Effects on Flame Propagation and NOx Formation in Methane-Air Premixed Flames," Proceedings of the of the Combustion Institute Conference (International), 28, 1825, 2000.

    Onstot, W.J., Minet, R.G., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Design Aspects of Membrane Reactors for Dry Reforming of Methane for the Production of Hydrogen," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 40, 242, 2001.

     Ren, J.Y., Qin, W., Egolfopoulos, F.N., Mak, H., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Methane Reforming and its Potential Effect on the Efficiency and Emissions of Lean Methane-Air Combustion," Chem. Eng. Sci., 56, 1541, 2001.

    Schwarz, B., Devinny, J.S., and Tsotsis, T.T., "Pore Network Simulation of Biofilters -- Accounting for Pore Network Effects," Chem. Eng. Sci., 56, 475, 2001.

    Ren, J.Y., Qin, W., Egolfopoulos, F.N. and Tsotsis, T.T., “Fluid Mechanics Effects of Hydrogen Enhanced Lean Premixed Combustion,” Combustion and Flame, 124, 717, 2001.

    Qin, W., Egolfopoulos, F.N. and Tsotsis, T.T., “Fundamental and Environmental Aspects of Landfill Gas Utilization for Power Generation,” Chem. Eng. Jl., 82, 157, 2001.

    Xu, L., Tsotsis T.T. and Sahimi, M., “Statistical Mechanics and Molecular Simulation of Adsorption of Ternary Gas Mixtures in Nanoporous Materials,” J. Chem. Phys. 114, 7196, 2001.

    Minet, R.G., Benson, S., Mortensen, M.K. and Tsotsis, T.T., “Exothermic Two-Stage Process for Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen Chloride,” Eur. Pat. Spec. EP0851834B1, July 3, 2001.

    Ren, J.Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Reactive Membrane Separations for Power Generation Applications. Pollutant Emissions Aspects,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 40, 4155, 2001.

    Sanchez, J. and Tsotsis, T. T., “Reactive Membrane Separations,” in Reactive Separation Processes, S. Kulprathipanja Ed., p. 155-208, Taylor & Francis, New York, 2002.

    Ren, J.Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T.T., “NOx Emission Control of Lean CH4/Air Combustion with the Addition of a CH4 Reforming Mixture,” Combustion Science and Technology, 174, 181, 2002.

    Sanchez Marcano, J.G., and Tsotsis, T. T., “Catalytic Membranes and Membrane Reactors,” Wiley VCH, 2002.

    Hashemi, M., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., "Computer Simulation of Gas Generation and Transport in Landfills – I. Quasi-Steady-State Conditions," Chem. Eng. Sci., 57, 2475, 2002.

    Sanchez Marcano, J.G., and Tsotsis, T. T., “Membrane Reactors,” in Ullmann's Encyclopedia, 2002.

    Yang, W., Kim, Y., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and T. T. Tsotsis, “A Study by In-Situ Techniques of the Thermal Evolution of the Structure of a Mg-Al-CO3 Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH),” Chem. Eng. Sci., 57, 2945, 2002.

    Ren, J.Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Coupling CO2 Decomposition with Power Generation. Basic Aspects of Combustion Stability and Pollutant Emissions,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 41, 4543, 2002.

    Park, B.G., Hung, F., Lim, S., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Design Issues of Pervaporation Membrane Reactors for Esterification,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 57, 4933, 2002.

    Nukunya, T., Devinny, J.S., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Application of a Pore Network Model for a Lava Biofilter Treating Ethanol,” Proceedings of the 2002 USC-TRG Conference on Biofiltration, The Reynolds Group, Tustin, California, 45-53, 2002.

    Ren, J.Y., Fan, Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N. and Tsotsis, T.T., “Membrane-Based Reactive Separations for Power Generation Applications: Oxygen Lancing,” Chem. Eng. Sci. 58, 1043, 2003.

    Fan, Y., Ren, J.Y., Onstot, W., Pasale J., Egolfopoulos, F.N. and Tsotsis, T.T., “Reactor and Technical Feasibility Aspects of a CO2 Decomposition-Based Power Generation Cycle, Utilizing a High Temperature Membrane Reactor,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 42, 2618, 2003.

    Firouzi, M., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Transport and Separation of Supercritical Fluid Mixtures in Nanoporous Membranes. I. Results for a Single Carbon Nanopore,” J. Chem Phys., 119, 6810, 2003.

    Lim, S.Y., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., “Molecular Simulation of Diffusion and Sorption of Gases in an Amorphous Polymer,” J. Chem. Phys., 119, 496, 2003.

    Fan, Y., Ren, J.Y., Onstot, W., Pasale, J., Egolfopoulos, F.N. and Tsotsis, T.T., “A CO2 Decomposition-Based Power Generation Cycle Utilizing a High Temperature Membrane Reactor,” Proceedings of ISCMR-3/CCRE-18, pp. 84-87, 2003.

    Langville, J., Dong, Y. , Andac, M.G., Tsotsis, T. T. , and Egolfopoulos, F.N., Non-premixed Ignition of H2 and CO by Vitiated Air in Counterflow Configurations, Paper 03F-33, Proceedings of the WSSCI Fall Meeting, October 20-21, 2003.

    Yang, W. and Tsotsis, T.T., Editors, Catalysis in Membrane Reactors (ICCMR-2002), Catalysis Today: Volume 82, Issue 1-4 , 2003.

    Sahimi, M. and T.T. Tsotsis, “Molecular Pore Network Models of Nanoporous Materials,” Physica B, 338, 291, 2003.

    Liu, P.K.T., Ciora, R.J., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., “Development of a CO2 Affinity Ceramic Membrane,” Abstracts. ACS., 225, U855, 078-Fuel Part 1, Mar 2003.

    Park, B.G., and Tsotsis, T.T., “A Novel Pervaporation Membrane Reactor Integrated with a Water Adsorbent System for Equilibrium Reactions,” Chem. Eng. Processing, 43/9, 1171, 2004.

    Tsotsis, T.T., Patel, H., Fayyaz Najafi, B., Racherla, D., Knackstedt, M.A., and Sahimi, M., “An Overview of Laboratory and Modeling Studies of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Coalbeds,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 43, 2887, 2004.

    Firouzi, M., Molaai-Nehzad, K., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Transport and Separation of Carbon Dioxide-Alkane Mixtures in Carbon Nanopores, J. Chem. Phys, 120, 8172, 2004.

    Kim, Y., Yang, W., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “The Thermal Evolution of the Structure of a Mg-Al-CO3 Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH). Sorption Reversibility Aspects,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 43, 4559, 2004.

    Fayyaz, B., Molaai-Nehzad, K., Patel, H.; Ciora, R., Liu, P., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis T.T., “Nanoporous Silicon Carbide Membranes, Preparation and Reactive Applications,” Inorganic Membranes. Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Inorganic Membranes, F.T. Akin and Y.S. Lin, Eds., 180-184, 2004.

    Langille, J., Pasale, J., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T. T., “Reactive Separations for Ignition Enhancement by In-Situ Generated C2 Additives for Natural Gas Combustion,” Inorganic Membranes. Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Inorganic Membranes, F.T. Akin and Y.S. Lin, Eds., 282-286, 2004.

    Langille, J., Pasale, J., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T. T. , “Ignition Enhancement by In Situ Generated C2 Additives for Natural Gas Practical Combustion Applications,” Chem. Eng. Sci. 59, 5311, 2004.

    Ciora, R.J., Fayyaz, B., Liu, P.K.T., Suwanmethanond, V., Mallada, R., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T. “Preparation and Reactive Applications of SiC Membranes,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 59, 4957, 2004.

    Nukunya, T., Devinny, J.S., and Tsotsis, T.T., Application of a Network Model to a Biofilter Treating Ethanol Vapor, Chem. Eng. Sci., 60, 665, 2005.

    Sahimi M. and Tsotsis, T.T. “Computational Methods for Statistical Methods of Nanoporous Materials and their Properties,” Chapter 74, Handbook of Theoretical and Computational Nanotechnology, Schommers, W., and Reith, M., Editors, American Scientific Publications, 2005.  

    Kim, N., Kim, Y., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M. “Atomistic Simulation of Nanoporous Layered Double Hydroxide Materials and their Properties. I. Structural Properties,” J. Chem. Phys., 122, 2147, 2005.

    Yang, L., Shahrivari, Z., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., Tsotsis, T.T. “Removal of Trace Levels of Arsenic and Selenium from Aqueous Solutions by Calcined and Uncalcined Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH),” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 44, 6804, 2005.

    Fayyaz, B., Harale, A., Park, B.G., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., Design Aspects of Hybrid Adsorbent-Membrane Reactors (HAMR) for Hydrogen Production,”  Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 44, 9398, 2005.

    Ostwal, M.M, Pellegrino, J., Norris, I., Tsotsis T.T., Sahimi, M., and Mattes,B.R. “Water Sorption of Acid-doped Polyaniline Solid Fibers: Equilibrium and Kinetic Response,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.,44, 7860, 2005.

    Langille, J., Dong, Y., Andac M.G., Tsotsis, T. T., and Egolfopoulos, F.N. “Non-premixed Ignition by Vitiated Air in Counter-flow Configurations,” Comb. Sci. Technol., 178, 635, 2006.

    Firouzi, M., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis T.T., “Supercritical Fluids in Porous Composite Materials: Direction-Dependent Flow Properties,” Phys. Rev. E., 73, 036312, 2006.

    Yang, L., Dadwhal, M., Shahrivari, Z., Ostwal, M., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Adsorption of Arsenic on Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH): Effect of Particle Size,”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 45, 4792, 2006.

    Sanchez, R., Hashemi, M., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M. “Computer Simulations of Gas Generation and Transport in Landfills. II. Dynamic Conditions,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 61, 4750, 2006.

    Langille, J., Pasale, J., Ren, J.Y., Egolfopoulos, F.N., and Tsotsis, T. T., “The Use of OCM Reactors for Ignition Enhancement of Natural Gas Combustion for Practical Applications: Reactor Design Aspects,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 61, 6637, 2006.

    Ostwal, M.M, Pellegrino, J., Norris, I., Tsotsis T.T., Sahimi, M., and Mattes,B.R., “Water Sorption of Acid-Doped Polyaniline Hollow Fibers: Equilibrium and Kinetic Response,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 45, 6021, 2006.

    Elyassi, B., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Silicon Carbide Membranes for Gas Separation Applications,” J. Membrane Sci., 288, 290, 2007.

    Wang, Y. L, Holley, A. T., Andac, M.G., Egolfopoulos, F. N. , and Tsotsis, T.T, “Studies of Combustion Characteristics of Biofuels in Premixed and Non-premixed Flames,”, Paper A18 (Session on Laminar Flames), Proceedings of the 5th US Combustion Conference, San Diego, CA 2007.

    Bagheri-Tar, F., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Preparation of Polyetherimide Nanoparticles by an Electrospray Technique,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 46, 3348, 2007.

    Firouzi, M., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis T.T., “Molecular dynamics simulations of transport and separation of supercritical carbon dioxide-alkane mixtures in supported membranes,” Chem. Eng. Sci.,62, 2777, 2007.

    Ostwal, M.M., Sahimi, M., Tsotsis, T.T., “Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Diffusion and Sorption of Water in Doped Polyaniline,” J. Chem. Phys., 126, 124903, 2007.

    Lim, S.Y, Kim, N, Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M., “Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Diffusion of Gases in Carbon Nanotube-Polyetherimide Polymer Composites,” Phys. Rev. E, 76, 011810, 2007.

    Harale, A., Hwang, H., Liu, P.K.T., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., Experimental Studies of a Hybrid Adsorbent-Membrane Reactor (HAMR) System for Hydrogen Production,”  Chem. Eng. Sci., 62, 4126, 2007.

    Wang, Y.L., Ji, C., Holley, A.T., Egolfopoulos, F. N., Tsotsis, T.T., and Curran, H.J., “Studies of Combustion Characteristics of Biofuels in Premixed and Non-premixed Flames,” paper # 07F-49, 2007 Fall Meeting of the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, October 16 & 17, 2007.

    Sanchez, R., Tsotsis, T.T., Sahimi, M. “Computer Simulation of Gas Generation and Transport in Landfills. III: Development of Landfills’ Optimal Model”, Chem. Eng. Sci., 62, 6378, 2007.

    Kim, N., Harale, A., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M. “Atomistic Simulation of Nanoporous Layered Double Hydroxide Materials and their Properties. II. Adsorption and Diffusion,” In press J. Chem. Phys.

    Elyassi, B., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T. “A novel sacrificial interlayer-based method for the preparation of silicon carbide membranes,” In Press J. Membrane Sci.

    Chen, F., Mourhatch, R., Tsotsis, T.T., and Sahimi, M. “Experimental Studies and Computer Simulation of the Preparation of Nanoporous Silicon-Carbide Membranes by Chemical-Vapor Infiltration/Chemical-Vapor Deposition Techniques,” In Press Chem. Eng. Sci.

    Tsotsis, T.T., Sahimi, M., Fayyaz-Najafi, B., Harale, A., Park, B.G., Liu, P.K.T., “Hybrid Adsorptive Membrane Reactor,” U.S. Patent Application, Feb. 2006.

    Dadwhal, M., Yang, L., Shahrivari, Z., Ostwal, M., Sahimi, M., and Tsotsis, T.T., “Adsorption of Arsenic on Conditioned Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH). Flow Experiments,” Submitted for Publication.

    Kim, T., Sahimi, M. and Tsotsis, T.T., ‘The Preparation of Hydrotalcite Thin Films Using an Electrophoretic Technique,” Submitted for Publication.